If ag land flooded, contact FSA office

Written by Gothenburg Times
Thursday, 16 June 2011 13:35

LINCOLN—As flood waters continue to rise, Nebraska Department of Agriculture director Greg Ibach is encouraging producers who have experienced failed or prevented plant acres, or loss of livestock pasture, to contact their local United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency office to report their losses.

“It is important for producers to share this information with their local FSA office in a timely manner,” said Ibach. “This information will be utilized by NDA and the governor’s office as we work in partnership with USDA FSA to secure federal agricultural disaster designations through Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The information also is important for some federal assistance programs.”

The Nebraska FSA has taken several steps to help producers address flooding conditions. According to Dan Steinkruger, executive director of the State FSA Office in Nebraska, producers now have until July 15 to report prevented planting situations. Usually such reporting is required to occur within 15 days of a crops’ final plant date.

Steinkruger said failure to report failed or prevented planting acres could result in ineligibility for certain programs, so a timely response by producers is warranted. In addition, FSA has announced emergency grazing and temporary use provisions associated with Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for producers impacted by flooding.

FSA estimates that at least 90,000 agricultural acres along the Missouri River Basin have the potential to be impacted by the flooding. Numbers are not available for the North Platte, South Platte, and Platte River basins.

“We know it is a difficult time for farmers and ranchers along these rivers,” Steinkruger said. “Nebraska FSA will work with producers, as much as possible within our program areas, to help address their needs during the flooding.”

Ibach also encourages producers with losses to be in contact with their crop insurance agent as soon as possible.

“We will continue to work with FSA, other federal partners, and industry organizations to make farmers and ranchers aware of possible aid,” Ibach said.

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